Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of
CENTRAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GIVES $24,000 TO AREA FOOD BANKS Food banks across the state have been helping record numbers of residents as the COVID-19 pandemic left people without jobs or working fewer hours. The Central Community Foundation board approved $24,000 in assistance to area food banks. Programs receiving funds include: § Helping Hands Community Foundation, Chandler § Our Daily Bread, Stillwater § 4 Kids and Community, Perkins § Mehan Union Church Food Program § Perry Community Cares § Perry Food Pantry § Stroud Food Pantry § Langston Community Food Pantry
§ Luther Community Service Center § God’s Food Bank, Guthrie § Hilltop Country Church Food Pantry, Morrison § Orlando First Baptist Church The Central Community Foundation is a charitable organization established by Central Electric Cooperative to administer a program called Operation Round Up®. The foundation makes grants available to individuals and organizations throughout Central’s service area from the money donated by Central members who choose to round up their electric bill to the nearest dollar each month.
Helping Hands in Chandler benefited from the Central Community Foundation donation.
YOUTH TOUR WINNERS TO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. was canceled by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Central is saddened this year’s winners were not able to go on the trip that was slated for June 19-25.
However, the co-op will provide the winners with scholarships equivalent to the Youth Tour trip cost. Scholarships will be presented to Ethan McBride and Leah Brown at Central’s 81st Annual Meeting on Oct. 8, 2020.
Central Youth Tour winners Ethan McBride and Leah Brown will receive scholarships at the 81st Annual Meeting in lieu of the Youth Tour trip.
UPDATE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
STAYING CONNECTED
J U LY 2 0 2 0 Central Board of Trustees: Bill Davis, President (District 7) Gary McCune, Vice President (District 1) Carol Dvorak, Secretary/Treasurer (District 3) Stu Preston (District 2) Len Tontz (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) Raymond Nettles (District 6) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Larry Mattox - Director of Communications
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Contact Us: editor@MyCentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076 Notice: Central’s office will be closed Friday, July 3, 2020 for Independence Day.
Central Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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help maintain high reliability, they may As you are well aware, the COVID-19 also consider what steps can be taken crisis has highlighted how much we all to help the membership improve their have a desire to stay connected with home connectivity at the same time. In our families, friends and co-workers. Oklahoma, there are six electric coopUnfortunately, the individual expeeratives currently offering broadband rience of connection can be different services to their memberships. based on the availability of a highspeed, reliable internet connection. For Making the decision to provide the those of us who are fortunate to have access to broadband, we have been able service of broadband to the membership is one that each cooperative must to connect more often and continue to evaluate independently. There is strong work, educate our children and access support within all levels of important medical services government for the developduring the worst of this panment of high speed internet to demic. However, this crisis rural areas, as well as available has only magnified the rural/ funding. There is over $20 bilurban digital divide for those lion in one Federal Commuwithout access to broadband. nications Commission fund One area in particular that alone, with an estimated $536 has been highlighted is home million that could specifically internet access necessary for Bill Davis, District 7 Trustee impact Oklahomans. educational purposes. Onefourth of Oklahoma public school students (about 167,000) do not Over the past few years, we have heard have internet access at home, according from several of you that rural broadband is a need. As the president of your to the Oklahoma State Department of board of trustees, I want you to know Education. we are listening to your comments. We are taking steps to evaluate the impact Not only is staying connected importbroadband has on the system and the ant to our personal lives, but it is also value it would bring to you. I believe it critical for the cooperative’s electrical distribution system, which works like a is important for us to do our due dililiving organism. It is constantly chang- gence on something of this magnitude, and we owe it to you to explore every ing and evolving as the temperatures angle. fluctuate, load is added and as new technology becomes available. Your The expansion of a broadband netcooperative’s ability to connect and work would not only increase system communicate with downline devices reliability, but also improve the quality has a direct impact on the reliability of of life for the membership. Bringing the system. The more devices we can connectivity to your home resembles communicate with from the office, the when co-ops brought light to rural quicker we can find problems before America and can be an admirable and they become outages. worthwhile task. Know we are comElectric cooperatives are uniquely posi- mitted to vetting this opportunity and look to make a decision later this year tioned to help support the elimination of the digital divide by utilizing existing that is focused on bringing value to the cooperative’s distribution system and infrastructure that has been serving you, our members. rural areas for years. As cooperatives build out communication networks that
RATE NOTICE Central annually reviews its rates and total cost of service, which recently indicated the need for a rate standardization for residential and small commercial rate classes. Central’s rates are structured so the cooperative can recover fixed costs such as power lines, substations, equipment, right-of-way maintenance, operational costs and more.
POOL AND HOT TUB SAFETY Water is a powerful conductor of electricity. Follow these tips and stay aware of electrical hazards around your pool or hot tub: Z Do not touch electrical equipment when wet. Z Do not place electrical appliances near pools or hot tubs. Use battery operated appliances, rather than electrical, near swimming pools. Z Any electrical outlets within 20 feet of a pool or hot tub should be equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). A GFCI monitors the flow of electricity in a circuit. If there is an irregularity of electrical flow, the power is cut off, preventing an electric shock. GFCIs are recommended anywhere water and electricity may meet. Z Know where electrical switches and circuit breakers are for pool and hot tub equipment, and know how to operate them. Do
not operate switches and circuit breakers when wet or if you are standing in water. Z Pools and decks should be built at least 5 feet away from all underground electrical lines and at least 25 feet away from overhead electrical lines. Z When cleaning the pool, know where any overhead power lines are to avoid making contact with them while using longhandled tools like a pool skimmer. Z When you leave the pool, don’t change the radio station or touch any electrical appliances until you are dry —never touch any electrical appliances when you are wet or standing in water. Z If children wish to play with sprinklers or hoses, make sure they are well away from appliances.
Not only does the cost of service analysis review the cost of purchased power, but it also highlights energy consumption trends. Historical trends reveal that residential energy consumption increased an average of 2.5% per year from 1992-2008, however, the trend stopped in 2009 and has been flat since. With flat line growth, Central has begun looking at ways to stabilize income as well. One of the ways to do this is through a consistent rate structure. Currently, Central’s residential rate contains a summer and winter component with different charges for the year. In an effort to stabilize and simplify rates, the winter energy discount for rate classes 1, 4 and E4 will be removed. Currently, members enjoy a half cent discount per kWh during winter months (November-March). The removal of this discount will create one rate for the entire year, which will remain at $0.081 per kWh. For more information on Central’s rates, please visit the website MyCentral.coop/rates.
If potential safety hazards are considered and handled proactively, accidents and deaths can be avoided. 3
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SERVICES
Logs for lumber. Bur oak, pecan, Kentucky coffee tree, walnut. Stillwater, call 405-377-3539
Hanging metal factory lights. Green enamel, authentic. $175 each, call 405-282-0625
DRY SKIN? CHAPPED LIPS? FLAKEY BEARD? Pharmacist Approved! All-natural, dry-skin relief. Water, alcohol & preservative-free. Modified Lotions, Beard Compounds, Lip Balms & more. We have products for year-round use. We are a “Made In Oklahoma” female-owned company in Jones, OK. Visit www.TUCKORI-FARM. com or search TUCKORI FARM COMMODITIES on FB, Etsy, Amazon & Instagram.
SERVICES
Operation Catnip Stillwater - Free spay/neuter/vaccination clinics for stray/feral/barn cats. Registration is required, and humane traps and instructions are provided. 7 clinics held during the school year (3 in Fall 2020 and 4 in Spring 2021) and are conducted at the OSU Veterinary School. Call 405-466-5810 or visit operationcatnip.okstate. edu for specific dates and info. Also, please visit the Operation Catnip Stillwater Facebook page.
Dr. Myers Chiropractic – Luther Real “Hands-on” physical adjustment $35 total office visit. Truck Driver DOT health card $75. Truck Driver DOT drug test $45. Truck Driver DOT alcohol test $45. Truck Owner FMCSA (DOT) Compliant. Randomized Drug Testing Program. Call 405-277-3325
INSTALLATION SERVICES We install windows, fences, siding and roofing. FREE estimates. Bonded and insured, call 405-714-5984
SUMMER ENERGY-SAVINGS WORD SEARCH I S G G J T M T R K J M C Y P
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When you save energy at home, you’re helping your family save money and protecting our environment. Read the tips below, then find and circle the bold words in the puzzle. • Close blinds and curtains on hot, sunny days to block additional heat from entering your home. • Turn off lights and electronics, like TVs and stereos, when you leave a room. • Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
SAVE THE DATE!
81ST ANNUAL MEETING
THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 2020 Payne County Expo Center, Stillwater www.MyCentral.coop /MyCentralCOOP
• Only clean full loads of dishes when you run the dishwasher. • Cooking with smaller appliances like slow cookers and toaster ovens use less energy than larger appliances. • Unplug phone chargers when they’re not in use – they consume energy even when they aren’t charging devices.